Crystal Lake City Council fills Schofield's seat

CRYSTAL LAKE – The City Council appointed Cameron Hubbard to fill a seat left vacant after a councilwoman was elected to the County Board.

Hubbard, 27, will complete the remainder of Carolyn Schofield's term, which expires in May.

"As I said before, it was a close call whether or not to fill that spot or go forward with one less council member for what is essentially 10 meetings," Mayor Aaron Shepley said. "... At the end of the day, a good candidate stepped up."

Hubbard is one of four candidates who are seeking three seats on the City Council, which are up for election April 9.

Besides Schofield's, the terms of Ralph Dawson and Jeff Thorsen also expire in May. Both men are seeking re-election and James Tomasello, a newcomer like Hubbard, also is vying for a seat.

Tomasello has been a vocal opponent to the city's plan to build a 200-foot-long median near his home on Crystal Lake Avenue. He and about a dozen others attended a council meeting this month to ask the city to reconsider. Tomasello collected 167 signatures from residents and business owners who oppose the median.

Calls to his residence went unanswered Wednesday.

All four men filed election petitions week with the city. Tomasello, Hubbard and Dawson filed first and will be entered into a lottery for placement on the ballot.

Hubbard is the son of longtime and former District 47 school board member David Hubbard. It was the elder Hubbard who persuaded his son to seek a council seat.

"I was already convinced that I wanted to do it," but was hesitant at first because of his young age, Cameron Hubbard said. He said his father told him, "It's great. Get involved now while you're young and have the time.' "

Schofield's last meeting was Tuesday. She will be sworn in to the County Board on Dec. 3.

Hubbard will join the City Council the next day.

The city clerk post also is up for election. Clerk Nick Kachiroubas filed for re-election and and as of Tuesday is the only person to file for that post.

The election likely will be in April unless there are enough candidates to trigger a February primary. There would need to be four candidates for each open seat – or 12 people for City Council and four for city clerk – to hold a primary election.

"That's pretty unlikely," Kachiroubas said.

Those interested in running for the City Council or city clerk have until 5 p.m. Monday to file a petition. Petitions can be picked up at City Hall, 100 W. Woodstock St.